A  Brief  Historical  Sketch  of  the 
Methodist  Church  in  Fair  Bluff 


B.  S.  Stanfleld 


DUKE 
UNIVERSITY 


LIBRARY 


Brief  Historical  Sketch 

of  the 

Methodist  Church 

flip 

Fair  Bluff 

Fair  Bluff,  N.  C. 

"The  world  is  my  parish." — John  Wesley 


®.  <?.  Stanfield 
Jonesboro,  C. 


$  73  S 


ci  MM  _  _  Bk.  V. 

Trinity  College  Library 

Durham,  N.  C. 


A 

Brief  Historical  Sketch 

of  the 

Methodist  Church 

in 

Fair  Bluff 


Fair  Bluff,  N.  C. 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2014 


https://archive.org/details/briefhistoricalsOOstan 


FOREWORD 


In  preparing  this  brief  sketch  of  Methodism  in  Fair 
Bluff,  it  has  been  indeed  a  labor  of  love.  During  the  first 
years  of  my  ministry  there  we  labored  hard  to  complete 
the  work  and  get  the  church  ready  for  dedication. 

When  I  saw  this  would  be  accomplished,  I  set  about  to 
search  up  the  old  records  and  find  anything  that  I  could 
for  data  and  information. 

Bro.  Frizzelle  was  kind  and  helped  me  greatly  in  search- 
ing the  old  Quarterly  Conference  Records  at  Whiteville. 

I  am  also  indebted  to  Mr.  R.  Q.  Powell,  one  of  the  oldest 
citizens  of  Fair  Bluff,  for  valuable  information.  He  could 
recall  from  memory  many  of  the  men  and  incidents 
of  the  work  here.  He  remembered  very  well  Mr. 
James  McGowan,  the  first  steward.  He  says  that  he  was 
a  genuinely  good  man  and  beloved  by  all. 

Brother  O.  Wiliams,  one  of  the  oldest  living  members  and 
trustee,  also  gave  valuable  information. 

A  part  of  this  sketch  was  read  at  the  dedication. 

So  I  trust  this  work  may  be  preserved  and  accomplish 
some  good.  Sincerely, 

January,  1922.  B.  E.  STANFIELD. 


PRESENT  BRICK  CHURCH  IN  FAIR  BLUFF,  COMMENCED  1914 


CHAPTER  I 


THE  TOWN  OF  FAIR  BLUFF 

In  the  extreme  lower  corner  of  Columbus  county  is  lo- 
cated the  town  of  Fair  Bluff.  Just  two  miles  farther  on  is 
the  South  Carolina  line  and  Marion  county. 

The  town  is  right  on  the  banks  of  what  was  formerly 
known  as  Drowning  Creek,  but  is  now  called  Lumber 
River.  This  is  the  same  river  that  has  its  source  up  in 
the  hills  of  Moore  county  and  flows  on  down  by  Lumberton 
and  Boardman  on  to  Georgetown,  S.  C,  and  there  unites 
with  the  Waccamaw  and  forms  the  Congaree  River,  which 
empties  into  the  Atlantic  Ocean. 

I  have  been  told  that  the  business  section  of  Fair  Bluff 
is  so  close  to  the  river  bank  that  in  times  of  big  freshets 
the  water  would  be  all  up  in  town.  I  have  seen  rowboats 
being  used  on  the  streets  there  to  carry  the  people  across 
certain  washouts  or  low  places. 

I  suppose  this  is  where  the  town  got  its  name — from  the 
bluff  or  high  banks.  A  beautiful  street  with  overlapping 
trees  runs  parallel  with  the  river  and  many  pretty  resi- 
dences are  on  this  river  front. 

Just  across  the  river  is  Robeson  county,  but  for  four  or 
five  miles  it  is  low,  flat  swamp  lands  and  no  one  lives  in 
there.  The  noted  Ashpole  Swamp  empties  into  the  river 
just  on  the  opposite  side  from  the  town  and  often  all  that 
great  area  of  land  is  covered  with  water  from  this  and 
other  swamps. 

I  have  no  record  that  tells  just  when  Fair  Bluff  was  settled. 
It  is  an  old  town  and  was  the  trading  place  and  only  town 
for  all  that  section.  There  was  a  regular  line  of  boats 
plying  between  the  town  and  Georgetown.  I  suppose  they 
were  small  boats  and  very  irregular. 

After  the  railroad  from  Wilmington  to  Florence  was 
built  the  boat  line  was  discontinued. 


There  are  a  number  of  old  residences  in  the  town  that  in 
other  days  were  considered  palaces.  They  are  large,  ele- 
gant and  well  loca  ted  with  large  front  lawns  which  was 
characteristic  of  the  times. 

The  people  have  always  been  noted  for  their  hospitality, 
kindness  and  pleasant  manners.  They  have  never  been  a 
people  to  go  off  on  every  wave  of  enthusiasm,  but  have 
been  quiet,  reserved  and  prone  to  take  life  easy. 

Among  the  early  inhabitants  we  find  some  of  the  names 
that  are  familiar  in  many  quarters.  Among  these  are  the 
Smiths,  Powells,  Andersons,  Williams,  Waddells,  Jenkins, 
Rogers  and  many  others,  who  have  been  the  pillars  and 
prominent  citizens  and  are  today  prominent  there. 

They  were  very  proud  of  the  town  and  the  many  large 
shade  trees  of  oak,  gum,  elm,  etc.,  in  which  the  citizens 
took  special  pride  and  they  gave  the  town  a  very  restful 
and  picturesque  appearance. 

There  was  a  large  sweet  gum  right  in  the  heart  of  the 
business  section  in  front  of  the  Anderson  old  store,  with 
seats  built  all  around  it;  and  here  on  hot  summer  days 
many  a  joke  was  told  and  the  current  issues  and  news  dis- 
cussed. Just  across  the  street  was  a  large  water  oak  in 
front  of  Bro.  "Pat"  Wad  dell's  store,  known  as  the  "skin 
tree."  For  he  was  and  is  a  great  dealer  in  all  kinds  of  fur, 
skins  and  hides,  and  on  this  tree  they  were  often  hung  to 
dry  or  for  advertisement.  He  had  such  a  large  trade  of 
this  kind  that  he  was  known  as  the  "skin  man"  far  and 
near. 

The  rivers  and  swamps  nearby  afforded  an  abundance  of 
such  wild  animals  as  otters,  coons,  foxes,  minks  and  many 
others.  It  would  surprise  us  to  know  how  many  thousands 
of  dollars  have  been  paid  for  these  furs  in  Fair  Bluff. 

Notwithstanding  the  town  was  so  near  the  river,  it  was 
always  considered  a  healthy  place.  The  mosquito  was  al- 
most unknown  in  town,  and  but  very  little  fever  was  ever 
known  there. 

The  river  always  affords  excellent  fresh  water  fish, 
both  summer  and  winter.  Several  men  give  their  entire 
time  to  this  sport  and  make  their  living  fishing.  Among 
the  chief  of  these  is  Ed  Rogers,  who  rarely  ever  fails  to 


get  the  beautiful  fish  that  are  found  in  the  river  when  he 
goes,  and  that  is  almost  every  day. 

Before  I  close  this  chapter  I  must  say  that  good  roads 
and  highways  have  greatly  changed  the  looks  of  things  in 
Fair  Bluff.  A  few  civil  engineers  have  pulled  down  all  the 
old  shade  trees  on  the  streets  and  widened  them  out. 
Even  the  "rest"  and  "skin"  trees  are  gone  with  them. 


CHAPTER  II 


THE  METHODIST  CHURCH   IN  FAIR  BLUFF 

In  relating  the  dates  and  incidents  of  this  chapter,  they 
refer  to  the  establishing  and  building  of  a  Methodist 
church  in  Fair  Bluff,  rather  than  to  preaching  services. 
For  I  am  persuaded  that  the  old-time  circuit  rider  on  his 
faithful  horse  with  saddle-bags,  hymn  book  and  Bible,  went 
everywhere  preaching  the  word  of  God;  and  they  may  have 
had  occasional  or  regular  appointments  in  this  town  long 
before  a  church  was  ever  plained  or  even  they  were  con- 
sidered a  part  of  any  regular  charge  or  circuit.  For  it  is 
a  known  fact  that  just  across  the  river,  about  five  miles, 
near  what  is  now  known  as  Marietta,  there  was  a  regular 
preaching  appointment  and  Olivet  church  was  founded 
about  1830,  long  before  a  church  was  built  at  Fair  Bluff. 
It  is  a  matter  of  history  that  the  first  Sunday  school  ever 
established  in  North  Carolina  was  organized  near  Olivet 
church  in  1817,  and  it  is  probable  this  is  the  real  fact  as  to 
the  first  Sunday  school. 

That  well  known  and  beloved  character,  Rev.  John 
Oliver,  a  local  preacher  with  a  burning  heart,  went  all 
over  that  section  with  the  message  of  the  Christ.  I  have 
heard  the  old  citizens  tell  how  he  would  roll  up  his  panta- 
loons and  wade  that  great  field  of  water  before  a  road  was 
ever  built  across  the  swamp  and  come  to  Fair  Bluff  and 
preach  anywhere  he  could  get  a  few  together.  He  was  a 
preacher  for  67  years  and  only  eternity  will  reveal  the 
vast  amount  of  good  this  flaming  evangel  of  the  cross  did 
all  through  that  territory. 

The  Baptists  began  or  built  their  church  later  in  Fair 
Bluff,  but  have  always  been  in  the  majority  as  to  numbers. 
Our  Methodist  people  have  had  many  odds  and  hard  bat- 
tles to  meet,  but  their  faith  and  zeal  have  never  failed. 
They  have  been  noted  for  the  quality  of  their  service  and 
not  numbers. 


The  Methodist  church  had  its  beginning  in  Fair  Bluff 
during  the  exciting  and  stormy  days  just  before  the  Civil 
War.  It  is  a  fact  that  Rev.  Mr.  Godwin  held  regular  ser- 
vices in  the  Masonic  Hall  in  1855,  because  there  was  no 
church  building  of  any  sort  in  the  village. 

The  first  notice  of  the  society  as  an  organization  ap- 
pears in  the  Quarterly  Conference  records  for  the  White- 
ville  circuit,  February  9,  1856.  The  conference  was  held 
at  Swindell's  church  and  Fair  Bluff  is  reported  as  having 
paid  $5. CO  on  the  preacher's  salary.  Rev.  C.  M.  Pepper 
was  the  preacher  in  charge,  and  Rev.  D.  Nicholson,  presid- 
ing elder. 

The  first  Quarterly  Conference  for  the  year  1858  was  at 
Carver's  Creek,  March  2Cth,  and  the  minutes  show  that 
Jas.  M.  McGowan  was  elected  a  steward  for  Fair  Bluff.  He 
was  a  good  man,  beloved  by  all,  and  even  some  who  are 
livL.g  here  today  remember  him  and  speak  well  of  his 
Christian  character.  When  the  question  was  asked  at  the 
Quarterly  Conference  "Where  shall  the  next  one  be  held?" 
the  answer  was  made  "Fair  Bluff."  This  was  the  first  one, 
perhaps,  that  was  ever  held  here,  and  as  the  later  facts 
will  show,  was  an  epoch  making  one  for  the  struggling 
little  band  of  Methodists. 

I  will  quote  fully  from  the  records  of  this  conference: 

it  was  held  May  22,  1858,  and  the  following  members 
were  present:  Rev.  O.  L.  Brent,  P.  E.  pro  tern  (he  was 
also  the  pastor  this  year;  Rev.  D.  B.  Nicholson  was  the 
presiding  elder  but  was  absent);  Miles  Foy,  L.  E.;  W.  A. 
Savage,  S.  &  C.  L. ;  Jas.  1VI.  McGowan,  S.  &  C.  L. ;  K.  K. 
Council,  C.  L.    J.  M.  McGowan  was  appointed  secretary. 

The  minutes  show  that  on  motion  the  following  gentle- 
men were  appointed  a  building  committee  to  build  a  church 
for  the  use  of  M.  E.  Church,  South,  at  the  village  of  Fair 
Bluff,  to-wit:  Augusta  Smith,  Sr.,  Burrell  Smith,  A.  L. 
Drake  and  W.  H.  Smith. 

We  have  no  record  to  show  just  how  much  this  building 
cost  or  how  many  members  were  on  the  roll,  but  the  com- 
mittee set  about  their  task,  and  we  know  from  good  au- 
thority that  the  house  was  very  soon  built,  as  the  deed 
bears  the  date  of  August  8th,  1859.    The  original  copy  of 


this  deed  is  here  with  this  paper.  It  was  given  by  Augusta 
Smith  to  Rev.  John  Oliver,  Kenneth  Haynes,  Daniel  D. 
Campbell,  Owen  Hcbbs,  Edwin  J.  Pate,  Trustees.  This 
clause  appears  in  the  deed  which  deserves  notice:  "And 
in  further  trust  and  confidence  that  they  shall  always  and 
forever  hereafter  permit  such  ministers  of  the  gospel  as 
may  at  any  time  hereafter  be  appointed  by  said  confer- 
ence, or  be  in  good  standing  in  said  conference,  to  expound 
God's  holy  word,  in  any  house  or  houses  as  have  been  or 
may  hereafter  be  erected  upon  the  lot  heretofore  de- 
scribed." So  this  faithful  band  built  a  comfortable  house 
which  was  considered  a  fine  church  in  its  day.  The  build- 
ing was  of  the  very  best  heart  lumber  and  stood  until  torn 
down  to  make  room  for  a  new  building  in  1914.  Thus  it 
would  seem  that  the  same  spirit  of  love,  sacrifice  and  de- 
votion that  was  found  in  the  first  society  continues  to  flow 
on  through  the  years  until  this  day.  And  as  silently  and 
peacefully  as  the  waters  of  Drowning  Creek,  now  called 
Lumber  River,  find  their  way  to  the  ocean,  almost  on  whose 
banks  this  church  stands,  so  may  their  labors  and  sacri- 
fice be  kept  in  the  archives  of  heaven. 

At  the  first  Quarterly  Conference  for  the  next  year,  Feb- 
ruary 12,  1859,  it  is  reported  that  the  stewards  fixed  the 
pastor's  salary  for  the  circuit  at  $150,  and  Fair  Bluff  was 
apportioned  $50  of  this  amount,  But  in  the  apportionment 
of  this  amount  to  the  different  churches  it  amounted  to 
$285,  which  was  not  all  paid  that  year.  It  is  worthy  of 
note  that  the  assessment  of  Fair  Bluff  church  for  preacher 
in  charge  remained  at  $50  for  each  year  until  1875.  when 
it  was  raised  to  $75. 

At  a  later  Quarterly  Conference  the  records  show  that 
Fair  Bluff  lacked  25  cents  of  paying  the  preacher  in  full 
for  the  year. 

The  present  church  building  was  begun  during  the  pas- 
torate of  Rev.  W.  C.  Martin  in  1914.  We  regret  his  ab- 
sence today.  He  writes  that  in  the  launching  of  this 
church  building  it  cost  him  much  sweat  and  energy  and  he 
burnt  up  a  whole  reservoir  of  energy. 

The  following  composed  the  building  committee:  A.  W. 
Jenkins,  S.  C.  Scott,  C.  B.  Martin,  R.  B.  Williams  and  F. 


B.  Van  Sant.  Later  J.  B.  Williams  was  substituted  for 
A.  W.  Jenkins,  who  had  moved  to  Marion,  S.  C.  After  sev- 
eral years  of  struggle  and  peculiar  trials  the  faithful  ones 
who  have  stood  so  nobly  and  generously  by  the  enterprise, 
ever  ready  and  willing  to  dare  and  to  do,  are  today  filled 
with  joy  in  humble  thanks  to  God  for  this  glad  hour.  It  is 
an  auspicious  hour  in  their  lives,  and  for  Methodism  in 
this  community.  This  beautiful  and  commodious  building, 
the  only  brick  church  in  Columbus  ccunty  for  white  people, 
stands  as  a  monument  to  their  love,  devotion  and  zeal,  and 
is  a  silent  witness  to  the  years  of  faithful  sacrifice.  And 
friends,  we  are  glad  to  have  you  with  us  today  to  share  in 
our  joy  and  rejoicing  in  this  glad  hour. 

This  church,  as  you  see  it,  represents  an  actual  cost  of 
about  $10,000,  with  a  small  membership  of  only  about  65; 
the  average  cost  per  member  has  been  more  than  $150  for 
every  boy  and  girl.  But  this  enterprise,  like  nearly  all 
other  church  work,  did  not  receive  a  hearty  approval  and 
endorsement  and  support  of  all  the  membership.  We  be- 
lieve that  we  could  almost  say  that  only  about  half  of  the 
members  did  their  full  duty  in  this  work.  But  it  is  the 
finished  task,  and  we  do  not  regret  the  cost. 

This  paper  would  not  in  any  sense  be  complete  without 
special  mention  and  notice  of  the  faithful,  devoted  and 
generous  service  of  the  elect  ladies  of  the  church  who  have 
done  so  much  to  complete  this  task  and  to  make  possible 
this  hour  of  dedication.  Through  the  medium  of  the  local 
Ladies'  Aid  Society,  with  a  membership  of  not  more  than 
eleven  at  any  time,  their  great  work  has  been  done.  They 
report  that  they  have  raised  and  paid  into  this  church  the 
sum  of  $1,269.77.  Whenever  the  men  needed  money  for  any 
special  work  they  did  not  hesitate  to  call  on  these  good 
women,  and  the  Ladies'  Aid  Society  was  always  ready,  or 
soon  found  the  money. 


CHAPTER  III 


LIST  OF  PASTORS  AND  PRESIDING  ELDERS  OF  THE 
WILMINGTON  DISTRICT 

It  would  require  much  space  and  time  even  to  attempt 
t3  tell  of  the  faithful  service  of  the  pastors  who  have 
served  Fair  Bluff  church.  Some  of  them  were  very  promi- 
nent in  the  church  and  conference  in  their  day;  and  all 
of  them  wrought  righteousness,  subdued  kingdoms  of  sin, 
and  I  trmt  their  labors  will  abide. 

Of  all  this  long  list  only  a  few  are  living.  Revs.  T.  J. 
Browning  and  P.  Greening  are  the  oldest  living  ones.  So 
I  shall  only  try  to  give  the  names  and  date  of  service  of 
each  without  any  comment.    The  list  is  as  follows: 

Rev.  Norman  A.  H.  Godwin,  1855. 
Rev.  C.  M.  Pepper,  1856. 
Rev.  Norman  A.  H.  Godwin,  1857. 
Rev.  Oscar  J.  Brent,  1858. 
Rev.  G.  W.  Heptinstall,  1859. 
Rev.  Caswell  W.  King,  1860. 
Rev.  Thomas  J.  Gattis,  1861. 

Rev.  James  C.  Brent,  1862  and  a  part  of  1863.  He  died 
at  the  home  of  Mrs.  Smith,  near  Whiteville,  with  fever  the 
8th  of  August  of  that  year.  He  was  greatly  beloved  by  all 
and  preached  only  five  years. 

Rev.  G.  K.  Andrews  finished  up  the  year's  work. 

Rev.  Jonathan  H.  Dally,  1864,  1865. 

Rev.  John  W.  Jenkins,  1866.   Later  on  in  life  he  founded 
our  orphanage  at  Raleigh. 
Rev.  R.  P.  Bibb,  1867. 
Rev.  J.  B.  Alford,  1868. 
Rev.  W.  M.  D.  Moore,  1869,  1870. 
Rev.  W.  H.  Kirton,  1871. 
Rev.  W.  B.  Maness,  1872. 
Rev.  Max  H.  Hoyle,  1873,  1874. 


Rev.  J.  B.  Bailey,  1875. 

Rev.  Philip  Greening,  1876. 

Rev.  J.  T.  Lyon,  1877,  1878,  1879. 

Rev.  J.  W.  Randall,  1880. 

Rev.  J.  J.  Carden,  1881. 

Rev.  J.  W.  Puett,  1882. 

Rev.  C.  W.  Smith,  1883,  1884,  1885. 

Rev.  J.  M.  Downum,  1886. 

Rev.  J.  C.  Crisp,  1887. 

Rev.  T.  J.  Browning,  1888. 

Rev.  H.  M.  Eure,  18S9. 

Rev.  C.  W.  Smith,  1890,  1891. 

Rev.  W.  A.  Forbes,  1892,  1893. 

Rev.  C.  W.  Smith,  1894.  He  served  the  church  three 
different  times. 

Rev.  W.  H.  Townsend,  1895,  1896. 
Rev.  A.  R.  Raven,  1S97,  1898,  1899. 
Rev.  A.  S.  Barnes,  1900,  1901,  1902,  1903. 
Rev.  J.  T.  Draper,  1904,  1905.  1906. 
Rev.  R.  F.  Taylor,  1907,  1908. 
Rev.  F.  F.  Eure,  supply,  1909,  1910. 
Rev.  T.  H.  Bain,  supply,  1911,  1912. 
Rev.  W.  C.  Martin,  1913,  1914. 
Rev.  D.  L.  Earnhardt,  1915. 

Rev.  G.  M.  Daniel,  1916  and  part  of  1917,  until  removed 
to  Aberdeen  in  June. 

Rev.  G.  R.  Jordan  finished  the  year  1917. 
Rev.  B.  E.  Stanfield,  1918,  1919,  1920,  1921. 

The  following  is  the  list  of  presiding  elders  who  have 
served  the  Wilmington  district  of  which  Fair  Bluff  church 
has  been  a  part.  There  is  only  one  skip  of  nine  years  in 
this  list: 

Rev.  D.  B.  Nicholson,  1855,  1856,  1857,  1858. 
Rev.  C.  F.  Deems,  1859,  1860,  1861,  1862. 
Rev.  D.  B.  Nicholson,  1863,  1864,  1865. 
Rev.  L.  P.  Burkhead,  1866,  1870. 
Rev.  Wm.  Closs,  1870,  1873. 
Rev.  W.  S.  Black,  1874,  1877. 
Rev.  L.  S.  Burkhead,  1878,  1880. 


Rev.  R.  O.  Burton,  1881,  1882. 
Rev.  W.  H.  Babbitt,  1883,  1884. 
Rev.  P.  J.  Carraway,  1885. 
Rev.  T.  W.  Guthrie,  1886,  1888. 
Rev.  F.  D.  Swindell,  1889,  1890.  . 
Rev.  R.  F.  Bumpass,  1898. 
Rev.  W.  L.  Cunninggim,  1907,  1910. 
Rev.  N.  H.  D.  Wilson,  1911,  1912, 
Rev.  L.  E.  Thompson,  1913,  1916. 
Rev.  J.  H.  Shore,  1917,  1920. 

It  might  do  to  explain  that  Fair  Bluff  church  was  first 
on  the  Whiteville  circuit.  Later  changed  to  Evergreen 
circuit.  Eut  now  a  part  of  the  Charbourn  circuit  since 
1912  or  1913. 

In  all  there  have  been  thirty-eight  regular  pastors  of  the 
circuit.  But  now  a  part  of  the  Chadbourn  circuit  since 
its  organization. 

I  could  mention  the  names  of  several  worthy  local 
preachers  that  had  regular  appointments.  The  most  prom- 
inent of  these  was  Rev.  John  Oliver,  already  mentioned; 
Rev.  J.  H.  Tart  and  Rev.  John  Gaddy.  No  doubt  these 
faithful  men  did  much  good.  Brother  Tart  was  from 
South  Carolina. 


BISHOP  U.  V.  W.  DARLINGTON 


CHAPTER  IV 


THE  DEDICATION 

As  stated  above,  these  faithful  ones  were  several  years 
building  this  new  brick  church.  They  met  with  many  ob- 
stacles, and  especially  just  as  the  great  work  was  begun, 
about  this  time,  conditions  changed.  Their  motto  was 
"pay  as  you  go."  So  when  money  gave  out  the  work  would 
stop.  Several  times  they  had  to  buy  new  material,  for  in 
waiting  the  old  would  rot  or  become  useless. 

Finally,  after  long  patience  and  endurance  with  hard 
work  the  church  was  finished  and  ready  for  dedication. 

Bishop  U.  V.  W.  Darlington  of  Huntington,  W.  Va.,-  the 
bishop  in  charge  of  the  N.  C.  Conference,  was  invited  to 
come;  the  date  was  fixed  and  all  plans  were  ready.  It 
may  be  wrell  to  state  here  that  so  far  as  any  remembers 
it  was  the  first  time  a  Methodist  bishop  ever  visited  Fair 
Bluff,  and  many  of  the  people  had  never  seen  one  of  our 
general  superintendents.  This  within  itself  added  much 
interest  to  the  occasion,  and  some  had  never  seen  a  church 
dedicated,  which  was  another  drawing  card. 

As  Bishop  Darlington  could  not  be  with  us  on  a  Sunday, 
we  set  Wednesday,  January  14  1920,  for  the  dedication. 
The  day  was  clear  and  beautiful.  Mrs.  B.  F.  Rogers,  as 
organist,  had  selected  special  music  and  the  regular  hymns 
as  suggested  in  the  Hymnal  were  used.  Her  brother,  Mr. 
Joe  Wells  of  Manning,  S.  C,  sang  two  beautiful  solos. 

Rev.  J.  H.  Shore,  presiding  elder  of  the  Wilmington  dis- 
trict, had  charge  of  the  service.  Rev.  B.  F.  Watson,  P.  C. 
Hallsboro  churge,  led  the  opening  prayer.  The  scripture 
lessons  were  read  by  Revs.  J.  H.  Shore  and  J.  H.  Frizzelle 
as  laid  down  in  the  Discipline. 

Bishop  Darlington  announced  his  text  as  follows:  "The 
Lord  loveth  the  gates  of  Zion  more  than  all  the  dwellings 
of  Jacob."    Ps.  87-2. 


For  about  one  hour  he  preached  a  great  sermon,  show- 
ing the  foundation,  place  and  mission  of  the  church  in  the 
world.  Every  one  went  away  with  a  higher  and  more  glo- 
rious conception  of  the  church  than  ever  before.  To  try 
to  outline  this  great  message  would  be  impossible,  but  one 
thing  he  made  very  clear  was  that  the  church  is  composed 
of  good  men  and  women.  The  name  of  the  particular  de- 
nomination is  only  a  matter  of  choice.  And  in  the  next 
place,  God  loves  the  church.  He  reached  the  climax  here 
and  carried  the  audience  to  great  heights  of  thought. 

After  the  sermon  Rev.  G.  M.  Daniel,  a  former  pastor, 
came  forward  and  read  a  brief  historical  sketch  of  this 
church.  This  paper  shewed  the  beginning  of  the  present 
building  and  the  struggles  of  the  members. 

Then  the  pastor,  B.  E.  Stanfield,  stated  that  the  amount 
of  indebtedness  was  $225;  that  at  the  beginning  of  the 
year  it  was  $400,  but  all  had  been  secured  of  that  amount 
except  $225.  Then  Bishop  Darlington  asked  the  audience 
to  secure  this.  In  about  five  minutes  this  was  pledged. 
The  Ladies'  Aid  Society  promised  $50.  At  the  suggestion 
cf  the  Bishop  and  a  few  remarks  by  Brother  Daniels,  who 
was  acting  as  secretary,  it  was  decided  not  to  stop.  In  a 
few  more  minutes  over  $400  was  subscribed  and  nearly  all 
of  it  was  paid  that  day  or  later. 

No  one  can  tell  how  the  hearts  of  those  people  leaped 
with  joy  as  they  felt  the  great  burden  of  this  debt  roll  off 
their  shoulders  and  the  finished  task  with  a  church  now 
ready  for  dedication. 

Then  the  trustees,  viz.,  J.  B.  Williams,  S.  C.  Scott,  C.  B. 
Martin  and  J.  H.  Turner,  steward,  came  forward  and  pre- 
sented the  church  to  Bishop  Darlington  for  dedication, 
which  was  done  according  to  the  Discipline,  and  after  a 
few  well  chosen  remarks,  the  closing  and  crowning  climax 
came  when  all  felt  like  singing  heartily,  "Praise  God  from 
whom  all  blessings  flow,"  etc.  The  benediction  was  pro- 
nounced by  Rev.  J.  H.  Shore. 

A  bountiful  and  sumptuous  dinner  was  spread  on  the 
church  grounds  in  picnic  style  and  all  seemed  to  enjoy  it 
and  the  social  hour. 


After  an  intermission  or  recess  for  one  hour  or  more,  the 
congregation  reassembled  and  Rev.  J.  H.  Frizzelle  preached 
a  most  helpful  and  interesting  sermon.  It  was  a  great 
message  for  all. 

Thus  closed  one  of  the  red  letter  days  for  Methodism  in 
Fair  Bluff,  and  it  will  be  remembered  for  many  years  by 
all  those  who  were  present.  It  was  an  epoch  making  day. 
All  were  glad  of  the  great  triumph  and  success  and  were 
so  delighted  to  have  the  genial,  kind  and  fraternal  Bishop 
in  their  midst. 

It  seemed  as  if  the  people  from  the  nearby  towns  and 
those  in  the  town  of  Fair  Bluff  understood  just  how  many 
it  would  take  to  fill  the  church,  for  it  was  just  comfortably 
filled  with  scarcely  a  vacant  seat  and  all  well  taken. 

The  following  ministers  were  present  from  the  adjacent 
charges:  Rev.  B.  F.  Watson,  Hallsboro;  Rev.  J.  H.  Friz- 
zelle, Whiteville;  Rev.  C.  N.  Phillips,  Tabor;  Rev.  W.  F. 
Warwick,  Fairmont,  Robeson  circuit;  Rev.  G.  1VI.  Daniel, 
Aberdeen;  and  Rev.  J.  H.  Shore,  Wilmington. 

To  the  Great  Head  of  the  church  be  honor,  and  glory, 
and  power,  and  dominion,  forever  and  forever.  Amen. 
Amen. 


